With the growing popularity of NASCAR bringing in several new fans worldwide, the sport is aiming to not just take the on-track action on the fan streaming platforms but is also intending to implement international races, likely starting next season. While the prospect of the Cup Series going beyond borders is nothing new on its own, the success of Netflix’s NASCAR: Full Speed and the excitement for the 2024 season has prompted the stock car racing organization to seriously look at how to incentivize on this newfound worldwide interest. And NASCAR President Steve Phelps recently gave fans a peek into what the organization is planning. He also revealed how NASCAR can expand to a global stage as early as next year.

Is The Clash moving to Mexico?

Ever since the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum concluded its three-year contract, NASCAR has been looking to replace the exhibition race with viable options both in the lucrative Los Angeles market as well as overseas. While a poll conducted by Kyle Busch on X received major support for NASCAR’s return to Daytona, that may not be as likely after Steve Phelp’s latest revelation. However, it’s not all doom and gloom, as the president also teased two races that may take place in Canada and Mexico.

During the Daytona 500 pre-race show, Steve Phelps shared some information regarding the sport’s plans for international races in 2024. While Phelps explicitly stated that there was no official announcement he would make, it didn’t stop him from teasing the fans with a small hint. He was quoted by motorsports journalist Matt Weaver, as saying, “I have nothing to announce today, but I would be surprised next year from the 2025 schedule if we didn’t go north of the border and we didn’t go south of the border.”

Weaver, in his article, also shared, “It’s expected that NASCAR will pursue taking the Clash to Mexico in 2025.” This means that the talk of NASCAR going south of the border soon has more ground to it than what most were expecting. After all, only recently was the sport close to confirming an event at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve that was to be held over the summer in Montreal.

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On the other hand, the future of the Clash at the Coliseum is still up in the air. But while many fans want a return to the Daytona International Speedway, Phelps believes the Los Angeles market is just too good to bid farewell to.

The Future of the Busch Light Clash still hangs in the balance

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Reflecting on the speculation over the future of the Busch Light Clash, Steve Phelps felt the need to reinstate the importance of the Southern California market. After all, no market brings in as much star power as that of Los Angeles. Phelps shared, “The southern California market is extremely important to NASCAR, in fact, it’s the second most popular market we have right next to New York. Racing in southern California, we’re not gonna miss a year.”

While Phelps is optimistic that fans in the Southern California region will not have to worry about missing races next season, the LA Coliseum’s closest and among the most popular alternatives, the Auto Club Speedway in Atlanta is undergoing major reconstruction and downsizing, leaving it fairly unfit for hosting a Clash anytime soon.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom for the beloved track as Phelps revealed their commitments in Fontana and said, “We are committed there, where Auto Club Speedway is out in Fontana, we kept a 100-acre parcel, to build a track there.” While that prospect may not be just a stone’s throw away, NASCAR isn’t short of options, with Weaver also believing the sport could take to Kern County Raceway, where Harvick is a major part of the leadership.

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With that said, there’s still a lot to be unravelled when it comes to NASCAR’s master plan for taking the Cup Series international. Do you think the sport, as Steve Phelps believes, will host not one but two international races next year?